Packaging-machine.



0. AI HANFORD.

PACKAGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 191s.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

0. A. HANFORD.

PACKAGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.13, 19134 Patented Mar.31, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PACKAGING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.13,1913.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

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PACKAGING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 51111.13, 1913.

1,091,509. Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

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APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1913.

1,091,509. Patented 111311131, 1914.

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UNTED sTaTns 'PATENT onirica.

ORIN A. HANFORD, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN L. KELLOGG, F

BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

PACKAGING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

Application filed January 13, 1913. Serial No. 741,792.

i v Rochester, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packaging- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in packaging machines.

The main objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved packaging machine by which articles of the character of shredded wheat biscuits or other articles of a more or less friable nature may be effectively packed without injury thereto. Seclond, to provide an improved packaging machine which is automatic in its operations and of large capacity. Third, to provide in a structure of the class described, improved carton feeding means. Fourth, to provide in a structure of the class described, an improved means for filling and discharging the filled cartons. Fourth, to provide an apparatus of the class described, which is comparatively simple in structure and not likely to get out of repair.

Further objects, and `objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the folloiving specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A struc-ture which is a preferred embodiment of my inventio-n is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side elevation of a struct-ure embodying the features of my invention, the outer ends of the several conveyers being broken away. Fig. II' is a plan view partially in horizontal section, on a line corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. I. Fig. III is a detail plan view of the carton `feeding mechanism, the parts removed by the sectioning in Fig. II being here shown;h Fig. IV is a transverse vertical sect-ion on a line corresponding to line 1 4 of Fig. I, showing details of the article feeding mechanism. Fig. V is a vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line 5 5 OftFig. I, showing further details of the article feedingr mechanism. Fig. VI is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 6 6 of Fig. IV, showing the packer actuating cam 49. Fig. VII is a detail vertical sect-ion on a line corresponding to line 7 7 of Fig. V showing the table actuating cam 35. Fig. VIII is a det-ail vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line 8 8 of Fig. I, showing' features of the holders and cartons feeding mechanism. Fig. IX is a detail vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line 9 9 of Fig. I, sho-wing details of thecarton feeding mechanism. Fig. X is a detail horizontal section on a line corresponding to line l0 l0 of Fig. IX. Fig. XI

is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 11-11 of Fig. IX, showing details of the carton flap spreading mechanism. Fig. XII is a detail vertical longitudinal .section on a line corresponding to the broken line 1Q 12 of Fig. III, showing further details of the carton feeding mechanism. Fig. XIII is a detail vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line 13 1?, of Fig. XII. Fig. XIV is a detail vertical transverse section on a line corresponding to line M M of Fig. III showing details of the carton feed table. Fig. XV is a det-ail section on a line corresponding to line 1:7 15 of Fig. I, showing details of the packing mechanism and the means for discharging the cartons.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at. the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the frame lis shown mainly in conventional form and may be of any desired construction to properly support the parts and their driving connections.

The driving shaft 2 is driven by the pulley 3 and the driving belt 4. The articles to be packaged are conveyed to the machine on trays 5 by the conveyer or feed belt. 6. The trays are. returned or discharged from the machine by the conveyer 7. The empty cartons` are carried into the machine by the conveyers 8 while the filled cartons are carried from or discharged from the machine by the conveyer 9. The outer ends of these conveyors are not illustra-ted as the means for delivering the filled trays to the conveyors 6 or the unsealed cartons to the conveyers 8 or for handling the filled cartons form no part of this invention. In practice, the filled cartons are preferably delivered to theiconveyers 8 from a suitable bottom sealer and v from the conveyer 9 to a top sealer.

The conveyer 6 is driven by the shaft 10' provided With a suitable roller or pulley 11. The shaft 10 is connected by the gears 12 and 13 to a shaft 14. The shaft 14 is connected by the sprocket-chain 15 to a shaft 16 disposed toward the bottom of the frame. The shaft 16 is connected by the sprocket chain 17 to a sha-ft 18 extending across the frame. The shaft 18 is in turn connected on the opposite side of the machine by the sprocket' chain 19 to the driving shaft 2. The severa-l sprocket Wheels are not designated by numerals as their. arrangement Will be readily understood. Other parts are driven through this connection as Will appear as the description proceeds.

The trays -5 are provided With flanges 20 on their longitudinal edges. The trays are delivered from the feed conveyer 6 onto the table 21 by a mechanism consisting of the sprocket chains 22 having flight-like pusher bars 23 mounted thereon. The sprocket chains 22 are supported to travel above and parallel with the inner end of the conveyer 6 by means ofsprocket Wheels 24 and 25 carried by a sha-ft 26 and the shaft 14 respectively, the sprockets 25 being the driv? ing sprockets. As the flights or pushers 23 are carried along by the sprocket chains, they engage the rear ends of the trays 5 and push them fromI the inner end of the conveyer 61 onto the table 21. As the trays are pushed onto this table, the biscuits or other artic-les to be packaged, carried by the trays, are, picked up by the scoop or pick-up 27 which is disposed above the table and in proper spaced relation thereto, so that the tray passes under the scoo-p and the articles onto it. The structure illustrated, is del signed for simultaneously filling tivo series of cartons. 4

The scoop is provided with diverging chutes 28 at its rear end. See Figs. II, 1V, and V. The scop is flanged at its edges to retain and guide the articles thereon. The structure illustrated, is especially designed for the packaging of shredded cereal biscuits which are placed on the trays in two rows.

. The trays are in practice preferably baking trays so that the biscuits are packaged direct from the ovens Without handling. The

l flange 29 at one side.

flights or pushers 23 engaging the rear. ends of the trays, serve to support the biscuits as well as to carry the trays along so that the biscuits are delivered onto the scoop as described.

The table 21 is provided with a guide This table 21 is pivoted at 30 and is supported in its operative position by means of the link y31 mounted on the slide 32. This slide 32 travels in the vertical slide-Way 33 as shown in Fig. V.

As the structural details of this slide and slide-Way are not a part of this invention they are not here shown. The slide 32 is provided with a roller 34 traveling on the cam 35 on the shaftl 1G. As the cam revolves, the ro-ller 34 drops into the low point 3 6 of the cam, allowing the table to tilt or swing down on its pivot, discharging the provided with a double series of four holders each. Y

The arms 38 carrying the holders, are connected by brac-es 40. See Fig. I. The shaft 39 is driven intermittently through a Geneva stop gear 41 on the shaft 39 and the coacting gear 42 and arm 43 on the shaft 44. The shaft 44 is connected by the sprocket chain 45 to the shaft 16 which is driven through the connections'previously pointed out. its the details of the driving connections for the shaft 44 to the holder carrying shaft 39 do not form a part of this present invention, I do not describe the same with further detail herein, 'the object of this type of driving connection being to drive the shaft 39 with a step by step movement properly timed to bring the holders 37 into position to receive the articles as they are delivered from the chutes 28.

The articles are delivered from the chutes 28 into the holders by the packers 4G supported on the arms 47 on the rock shaft 4S extending across the frame above the chutes. The packers 4G are .actuated from the cams 49 onthe shaft 14. The cams 49 act upon the reciprocating rods 50 supported in suitable bearings in the brackets 51. The rods 50 are connected to levers on the shaft 53, the levers being connected by the links 54 to the arms 47 of the pac-kers. The ca1ns`49 are provided with a plurality of cam projections 55, (see Fig. VI), there being twelvev of these projections on the cams of structure illustrated, so that each package contains twelve articles. The rods 50 are provided with rollers 56 traveling on the cams.

To support the articles in proper position as they are being packed in the holders 37, and also to eject them 4into the cartons and the cartons from the holders, I provide the holders' with plungers 57 supported by the stems 58 reciprocating in suitable sleeves 59 Within the -holder carrying arms 38. The plungers are yieldingly supported yby the coiled springs G0 arranged within ythe sleeves. The plungers are provided with racks 61 with which the pawls 62 coact. See

Fig. XV. These pawls (S2 are provided with actuating' springs G3. As the articles are packed into the holders by the packers 46, the plungers are forced inwardly against the tension of the springs GO and are retained by the pawls until released by the pawl tripsI (il which are positioned to act after the cartons have been slipped over the holders so that the articles are delivered into the cartons. This step ir. the cycle of operations of the machine will be again referred to in its proper sequence.

The shaft 89, is, as stated, actuated with a step by step movement, each step being a quarter revolution of the shaft. From the filling position, the holders are actuated to a vertical position to receive the cartons G5 which are slipped over the holders.

The cartons are, as stated, conveyed to the machine by the conveyers 8, the cartons being arranged on the conveyers on their sides with their open ends facing inwardly. The conveyers 8 are driven through the sprocket chains 131 connecting them to the shaft 2. The cartons are carried by the conveyers 8 against the sto-ps G6.- From these conveyers 8, the cartons G5 arel delivered or shifted onto the feed table 67 which projects forwardly so that the holders 37 swing under its forward end when they are brought to the vertical position from .their filling position.

The carton shifter members (38 are provided with fixed fingers 69 at their outer ends adapted to engage the outer ends of the cartons and pivoted plate-like clamping lingers 70 adapted to engage opposite sides thereof. The clamping fingers or plates 70 are mounted on the pivots 71 on the arm 72 on the member 68. Springs 73 support the clamping fingers 70. The member 68 is arranged upon a spindle 74 carried by an oscillating member 75 mounted on the shaft 76. The oscillating member 75 is provided with a segment 77 which is actuated by the rack 78 arranged in a vertically disposed slide bearing member 7 9, see Fig. IX. The rack 78 is connected by the link 8O to the lever 81 mounted on the shaft 81 extending transversely across the frame. actuated by the cam 82 on the shaft83. This shaft 83 is connected by the sprocketchain 84 to the shaft`85 which isconnected by the gears 86 and 87 to the driving shaft 2, the sprocket chain being arranged on one side of the frame and the gears on the opposite. This driving connection for the oscillating member 75 swings it from a horizontal position shown by dotted lines in Fig. IX, to the vertical position shown therein.

To rock the member 68 from its carton engaging orl picking up position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. IX, to its delivery position, as shown by full lines, it is provided The lever 81 is with a segmental gear .88 coacting with a fixed segmental rack 89. It will be obvious that with the segment S8 in engagement with the rack, when the member is swung from its vertical to its horizontal position or vice versa, itis oscillated. The cartons are inverted by this shifter and carried into position to be delivered onto the table 07. To effectively deliver the cartons to the table the flaps 90 thereof are spread out to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. IX. The fiap spreading or opening fingers 91 are pivoted at 92 on the vertically adjustable member 98. This member 98 is mounted for vertical movement in the bracket 93. The member 98 is connected by the link 95 to the lever 96 mounted on the shaft 81, the lever being actuated by a cam 97 on the shaft 83. The member 98 is connected to the link 93 by means of the clip 99 on the lower end of member 98. To spread and collapse the fingers, the inwardly projecting arms 100 thereof are connected to the rod 101 reciprocating in the member 98. See Fig. XI. The arms 100 are slotted at 102 to engage pins 103 on the reciprocating rod 101. The rod 101 is connected by the link 101 to the lever 105 on the shaft 81 actuated by the cam 106 on the shaft 83. By thus arranging the parts, the spreader is first actuated to carry the spreader fingers up within the flaps by the upward movement of the member 98 which is accomplished through the connection described. The fingers are then spread by the upward movement of the rod 101 which is accomplished through its connection described, the.` movements being properly timed through their driving connections. The cartons are` pushed from this position shown in Fig. XII, that is, after the tiaps have been spread or bent to a horizontal position onto the table '67. The feed members 107 by which this is accomplished are carried by the slides 108 arranged in suitable ways 109 provided therefor in the table. See Figs. XII, XIII, and XIV. These slides 108 are provided with racks 110 on their under sides, which are, driven through the pinions 111 on the shaft 112 arranged below the table. The shaft 112 is driven through the train of gears 113, 114, 115, and the oscillating segment 116 .which meshes with'the gear 115. The segment 116 is pivoted at. 117 on shaft 81. The segment is provided with an arm 118 having a roller 119 thereon traveling on the cam 120. The table 67 is rovided with guides 121 for the cartons, tiie guides being supported on overhanging arms 122 so that the lower edges of the guides 121 are spaced from the table to permit the flaps to project under the guides. The table 67 is provided with openings 123 at its forward end to which the cartons, are delivered through the holders 37.

I have described only one shifter mechanism,y one yflap spreader mechanism, and one carton feeder, as the other is a duplicate mechanism. The operating connections for the shifter and flap spreader mechanism are duplicate. The two feed or pusher members 10T are actuated through the single cam 120.

The cartons are supported in position above the openings 122 in the feed table by their flaps. From this position, they are pushed through thebpening and over the holders 37 by the members 124 mounted to 4 `reciprocate on the vertical rods 125 carried by the table 67.

The delivery members 124 are connected by the links 126 to the levers 127 mounted on the transverse shaft 128. These levers are in turn connected by the links 129 to the bent levers 130 mounted on the transverse shaft 131. The bent levers 130 are actuated from the cams 132 acting on the rods 133 arranged to reciprocate in suitable bearings in the brackets 51. The springs-134 on the rods 50 return the packer fingers. The

springs 134 on the rods 133 return the plungers to their initial position. As stated; the holders 3T are swung under the openings 122 in the feed table in which position the cartons are pushed over the holders by the members 124. The cartons are then carried by the holders around to the lower position above the delivery conveyer 9 in which position, thel trips 64 act upon the pawls 63 releasing the plungers 57 so that the articles in the holders are pushed out or ejected into the cartons which are simultaneously pushed off thev holders and onto the conveyer 9. The next actuation brings the lemptied holder into position to receive the articles. This completes the cycle of movements of the machine; which I are the delivery of articles to be packaged on suitable trays as,

5 on the conveyer 6; the transfer of the trays A from the conveyer 6 onto the table 21 during which time the articles are picked up from the trays by the scoop 27 and pushed along thereon up the chutes 28 to the packers 46; the discharge of the empty trays from the table 2l onto 'the return conveyer 7;

the delivery of the empty cartons on the,

v injury thereto.

I have illustrated and described my. improvements with considerable detail in the embodiment illustrated. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications which ,I contemplate as being 'possible and practical as such modifications will undoubtedly be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention relates. I desire; however, to be understood as claiming my improvements specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly within the scope` of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a delivery chute; a shaft; holders open at their outer ends and disposed radially on said shaft; means for rotating said shaft ,with a step by step movement whereby the holders are successively brought to a. horizontal position at the rear end of said chute: a packer oscillating above the rear end of' said chute to push the articles into said holders; plungers within said holders; springs by 'which said plungers are yieldingly supported` said plungers being provided with ratchet bars: pawls coacting therewith whereby lsaid plungers are retained in their depressed position as the holders are filled; means for feeding cartons arranged to deliver the cartons over the holders when the holders are in their upright position; and means for trip-ping said pa-wls when the holders are in their inverted position whereby the articles are ejected from the holders into the cartons as the cartons slip from the holders to the de- -livery conveyer.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combinationwith a delivery chute; a shaft; holders open at their outer ends and disposed radially on said shaft; means for rotating said shaft with a step by step movement whereby the holders are sucessively brought to a horizontal position at the rear end of said chute: a packer oscillating above the rear end of said chute to push the articles intosaid holders; and means for feeding cartons arranged to deliver the cartons over the holders when the holders are in their upright position, the articles drop-- ping from the holders into the cartons as the cartons slip from the holders While in an inverted position, all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a structure of the class described,

-the combination of a feed mechanism; a

shaft: holders open at their outer. ends and radially disposed on said shaft; means for rotating said shaft with a step by step mbvement whereby the holders are 'successively brought to filling position; plungers Within said holders: springs by which said plungers are yieldingly supported, said'plungers beinte'` provided .with ratchet bars; pawls coacting therewith whereby said plungers are retained in their depressed position as the holders are filled; means for feeding cartons arranged to deliver the cartons over the holders when the holders are in their npri ght position; a delivery conveyer disposed below said shaft; and means for tripping said plungerl pawls when the holders are in their inverted position above said delivery conveyer whereby the material is ejected from the holders into the cartons as the Y cartons slip from the holders.

l. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of a shaft; holders open at their outer ends and radially disposed on said shaft; means for rotating said shaft with a step by step movement whereby the holders are successively brought to filling position; a feed mechanism adapted to deliver to the holders while the holders are in their filling position: spring actuated plungers within said holders; detents for said plungers: means for feeding cartons arranged to deliver the cartons over the holders when the holders are in their upright position and means for releasing said plunger detents, all coacting for the. purpose specified.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination with he feeding means comprising a delivery chute; a shaft; holders'open at their outer ends and radially disposed on said shaft: means for rotating said shaft with a step by step movement whereby the holders are successively brought to a horizontal position at the end of said chute; a packer oscillating above the rear end of said chute to push the material into said holders; plungers within said holders; springs by which said plungers are yieldingly supported, said plungers beingprovided with ratchet bars; pawls coacting therewith whereby said plungers are retained in their depressed position as the holders are filled; means for feeding cartons arranged to deliver the cartons over the holders after they are filled; and means for tripping said pawls whereby the material is ejected from the holders into the cartons.

in a structure of the class described, the combination with the feeding means comprising a delivery chute; a shaft: holders open at their outer ends and radially disposed on said shaft; means for rotating said shaft with a step by step movement whereby the holders are successively brought to a horizontal position at the end of said chute; a packer oscillating above the rear end of said chute to push the material into said holders; and means for feeding cartons a1'- ranged to deliver the cartons over the holders after they are filled.

7. ln a structure of the class described7 the combination of holders open at .their outer ends; a holder filling means; means for actuating said holders with a step by step movement whereby they are successively brought to filling position; plungers -within said holders; springs by which said plungers are yieldingly supported, said plungers being provided with ratchet bars; pawls coacting therewith whereby said plungers are retained in their depressed position as the holders are filled; a carton feed means arranged to deliver cartons over the holders after the holders are filled; and means for tripping said plunger pawls whereby the material is ejected from the holdersI into the cartons as the cartons are removed from the holders.

t?. In a structure of the class described, the combination of holders open atl their outer ends; a holder filling means; means for actuating said holders with a step by step movement whereby they are successively brought to filling position; spring actuated plungers within said holders; detents forsaid plungers; a carton feed means arranged to deliver cartons over the holders after the holders are filled, and means for tripping said plunger detents, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9. ln a structure of the class described, the combination of holders open at their outer ends; a holder filling means; means for actuating said holders with a step by step movement whereby they are successively brought. to filling position; spring plungers within said holders, said plungers being depressed and retained in their depressed positions as the holders are filled, means for delivering cartons over the holders after the holders are filled; and means for releasing said plungers whereby the material is ejected from the holders into the cartons as the cartons are removed from the holders.

l0. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a carton feed conveyer; a carton stop above said conveyer; a shifter member provided'with a fixed finger at its outer end adapted to engage the ends of the cartons and pivoted clamping fingers adapted to engage their sides; an oscillating shifter' member support having a spindle for .said shifter member; a segment on said snpport; a. reciprocating rack coaeting with said segment; a segment on said shifter member; and a fixed rack coacting therewith whereby the shifter member is oscillated on its spindle as the spindle 1s oscillated to and vfrom its horizontal and vertical shifter member on its support as the support is oscillated to and from its horizontal and verticalppositions; a flap spreader comprising a vertically reciprocating finger member, fingers pivotally mounted thereon to 'swing radially, said fingers being provided with inwardly vprojecting' slotted arms; a reciprocating rod having pins thereon engaging said slotted arms of said fingers; means for reciprocating said finger member and saidrod timed so that the finger member is actuated to'introduce the lingers between the flaps and the rod actuated Whereby the flaps are spread to a horizontal position; and a reciprocating feed member adapted to push thecartons from the shifter member to the table.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table; a carton feed conveyer arranged at the side lof said table, the cartons being delivered by said conveyer on their sides with their open ends toward the table; a shifter member provided with carton engaging fingers, an oscillating shifter member support; means for oscillating said shifter member on its support as the support is oscillated to and from its horizontal and vertical positions; and a reciprocating feed member adapted to push the cartons from the shifter member to the table.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table having a delivery opening therein; a carton feed mechanism comprising means for supporting the cartons in an inverted position; a flap spreader comprising a vertically reciprocating finger member, fingers pivotall7 mounted thereon to swing radially; reciprocating rod connected to said fingers; means for reciprocating said finger member and said rod timed so that the nfinger member is actuated to introduce the fingers into the fiaps and the fingers spread to swing the flaps to a horizontal position; a reciprocating feed member adapted to push the cartons from said supporting member across the table to delivery position; carton guides supported in a spaced relation to the feed table to permit the fiaps to project thereunder as the cartons travel along on the table to delivery position said cartons being supported in delivery position -above the delivery opening 'feed conveyer arranged at the side of said `cartons inan inverted position; a flap spreader, a reciprocating feed member ad-apted to push the cartons from said supporting member across the table to delivery spreader position; carton guides supported in a spaced relation to the feed table to permit the flaps to project thereunder as the cartons travel along on thetable to delivery position, said cartons being supported in delivery position above the delivery opening by their flaps; carton holders actuated with a step by step movement to bring them under the delivery opening of the table; and a vertically reciprocating member for delivering the cartons from the table to the holders.

15. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table having a delivery opening therein; a carton feed mechacartons in an inverted position; a flap spreader comprising a vertically reciprocating finger member, fingers pivotally mounted thereon to swing radially; a reciprocating rod connected to said ngers; means for reciprocating said-finger member and said rod timed so that the finger member is actuated to introduce the fingers into the flaps and the ngers spread to swing the flaps to a horizontal position; a reciprocating feed member adapted to push the cartons from said supporting member across the. table to delivery position; said cartons being supported in delivery position above the delivery opening by their flaps; carton holders actuated with a step bystep movement to bring them under the delivery opening of the table; and a vertically reciprocating member for delivering the cartons from the table to the holders.

1G. In a structure-of the class described, the combination of a feed table having a delivery opening therein; a carton feed mechanism comprising means for supporting the cartons in an inverted position; a fiap a reciprocating feed member adapted to push the cartons from said supporting member across the table to delivery position, said cartons being supported in delivery position above the delivery opening by their flaps; carton holders actuated with a step by step movement to bring them under the delivery opening of the table; and a vertically reciprocating member for delivermg the cartons from the table to the holders.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table; a carton table, the cartons being delivered by said conveyer on their sides with their open 120 ends toward the table; a shifter member provided with carton engaging fingers; an

yoscillating shifter lmember support; means `for oscillating said shifter member on its support as the support is oscillated to and from its horizontal and vertical positions; a

flap spreader and a reciprocating feed member adapted to push the cartons from the shifter member to the table. 18. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a feed table; a carton feed conveyer arranged at the side of said table, the cartons being delivered by said conveyer on their sides with their open ends toward the table; a shifter member provided with carton engaging fingers; an oscillating shifter member support; and means for oscillating said shifter member on its support as the support is oscillated to and from its horizontal and vertical positions.

19. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table; a carton feed conveyer; a shifter member provided with carton engaging fingers; means for actuating said member to pick up the cartons from the feed conveyer and support them in an inverted position; a Hap spreader adapted to spread the flaps to a horizontal position while supported by said shifter member; a feed member adapted to push the cartons from the shifter member across the table to delivery position; guides supported in a spaced relation to the table to permit the iiaps to project thereunder as the cartons are pushed to delivery position; carton holders; and a member for delivering cartons from the table to the holder.

20. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table; a carton feed conveyer; a shifter member provided with carton engaging fingers; means for actuating said member to pick up the cartons from the feed conveyer and support them in an inverted position; a a spreader adapted to spread the iiaps to a orizontal position while supported by `said shifter member; and a feed member adapted to push the cartons from the shifter member to the table.

2l. In a structure of the class described,

vcomprising a table means for supporting the cartons in an inverted position; a flap spreader comprisinga vertically reciprocating finger member,fingers ivotally mounted thereon toswing radia ly, said fingers being provided With inwardly projecting slotted arms; a reciprocating rod having pins thereon engagingsaid slotted arms of said fingers; means for reciprocating said finger member and sa1d rod timed so that livery witnesses.

the finger member is actuated to introduce the fingers between the iaps and the fingers spread to swing the flaps to a horizontal position; and a reciprocating feed member adapted to push the cartons from said supporting member to the table.

22. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table having a deopening therein; mechanism comprising means for supporting the cartons in an inverted position; a flap spreader adapted to spread the iiaps to a horizontal position While the cartons are so supported; a feed member adapted to push the cartons from the said supporting means across the table to delivery position; guides supported in a spaced relation to the table to permit the flaps to project thereunder as the cartons are pushed to delivery position, the cartons being supported in delivery position by their flaps; and a reciprol eating member for delivering the cartons.

23. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a feed table having a delivery opening therein; a carton feed mechanisin comprising means for supporting the cartons in an inverted position; a flap spreader adapted to spread the flaps to a horizontal position while the cartons are so supported; a feed member adapted to push the cartons from the said supporting means across the table to delivery position; and a reciprocating member for delivering the cartons. y

24. In a. structure of the class) described,

ythe combination of a feed table, a carton feed mechanism comprismg means for supporting the cartons in an inverted position; a ap spreader adapted to spread the flaps to a horizontal position While the cartons are so supported; and a feed member adapted to deliver the cartons from said supporting means to the table. l

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two ORIN A. HANFORD. [Lys] Witnessesz' HERBERT L. LARZELERE, CARL F. SoHMnrr.J

a carton feed 

